Tips on Boosting Your Wireless Router Signal

Wondering how to boost your wireless router signal as your system comes offline for the 10th time today? If you are experiencing data transmission issues with your wireless router, you can do certain things to boost your signal.

Start with a High-Quality Router

Cheap wireless routers are typically made from low-cost components, using poor quality transmitters and antennas. If you’d like to prevent wireless router signal issues, start with a decent router. An excellent, high-quality router may cost more, but it is more likely to contain a high-quality antenna and deliver powerful, clear data transmission.

Understand the Causes of Signal Interference

Signal interference can wreak havoc with your wireless internet usage and data transmission. Gadgets that may conflict with wireless signals include mobile phones, televisions, microwaves, baby monitors and remote-controlled garage door openers. Situate your wireless router away from these appliances and gadgets. Place your router in a location where the signal won’t need to travel through these devices to get to your computer. You might want to rearrange your home or office, but avoiding these sources of interference can enhance your signal.

Be Aware of What’s in Your Walls

Reinforced concrete, steel beams, aluminum supports, and soundproofing materials can significantly decrease your wireless router signal. Keep in mind that these and other structural elements may impede your signal strength. If you notice a weaker signal when you’re working in a specific room or particular area of the house, move to a different room or consider moving your wireless router to boost signal transmission.

Use a WiFi Signal Amplifier

If you’re experiencing data transmission issues, you can always add a wifi signal amplifier. Often called a signal booster, this device connects to your wireless router or wifi client where your antenna attaches – and increases the signal reception. Wifi transmission amps can also enhance the download and upload speed, making your connection faster and guaranteeing that you never drop transmission.

Upgrade Your Antenna

Some wireless routers have only internal antennas, so it isn’t possible to modify or boost the transmission from these. If your wireless router uses an external antenna, however, you can upgrade to a high-powered antenna. Consider a bi-directional antenna that allows you concentrate the transmission, rather than the omnidirectional antenna that came with your router. Omnidirectional antennas deliver the transmission throughout an even 360-degree distance, which can be a problem if you’ve got an exceptionally large or unusually long house. Bi-directional antennas will amplify wireless signals in both directions for transmitting and receiving data. These types of antennas should be used, since wifi transmissions are actually two-way radio communications.

If you can’t replace the antenna, there’s a free or low-cost way to try to boost transmission. Cut a lightweight steel or tin can in half lengthwise. Locate this behind the router or antenna and point it in the general direction where you need increased transmission. This can direct transmission to locations you need it most.

Check the antennas in your wireless devices. Laptops computers and netbooks have small built-in antennas that often don’t get enough transmission at certain locations. Using a USB wifi antenna can create a significant change in this situation.

Check for Firmware Updates

Manufacturers sometimes find that there are changes they can make to router firmware to help boost data transmission. If you’re having signal strength issues, make sure that you’re using the latest release of your firmware and adapters. Update your firmware if you’re not fully upgraded; you’ll likely experience better signal strength overall.